Legal Q&A: Annual Threshold Adjustments for 2022 Effective January 1
By Scott Birrenkott
Q: Has CFPB Released its Truth in Lending (Regulation Z) Annual Threshold Adjustments for 2022?
A: Yes. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has revised the threshold dollar amounts for Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Specifically, has revised the dollar amounts for provisions implementing amendments to TILA under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act), the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) and the ability to repay/qualified mortgage (ATR/QM), and the dollar threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions. Effective January 1, 2022, the following thresholds will be adjusted to the new dollar amounts.
For HOEPA loans, the adjusted total loan amount threshold is $22,969, an increase from $22,052 in 2021. The adjusted points and fees dollar trigger for high-cost mortgages is $1,148, an increase from $1,103 from 2021.
For qualified mortgages (QMs) under the General QM loan definition in §1026.43(e)(2), the thresholds for the spread between the annual percentage rate (APR) and the average prime offer rate (APOR) in 2022 will be: 2.25 or more percentage points for a first-lien covered transaction with a loan amount greater than or equal to $114,847; 3.5 or more percentage points for a first-lien covered transaction with a loan amount greater than or equal to $68,908 but less than $114,847; 6.5 or more percentage points for a first-lien covered transaction with a loan amount less than $68,908; 6.5 or more percentage points for a first-lien covered transaction secured by a manufactured home with a loan amount less than $114,847; 3.5 or more percentage points for a subordinate-lien covered transaction with a loan amount greater than or equal to $68,908; or 6.5 or more percentage points for a subordinate-lien covered transaction with a loan amount less than $68,908.
For all categories of QMs, the thresholds for total points and fees in 2022 will be 3 percent of the total loan amount for a loan greater than or equal to $114,847; $3,445 for a loan amount greater than or equal to $68,908 but less than $114,847; 5 percent of the total loan amount for a loan greater than or equal to $22,969 but less than $68,908; $1,148 for a loan amount greater than or equal to $14,356 but less than $22,969; and 8 percent of the total loan amount for a loan amount less than $14,356.
For open-end consumer credit plans under the CARD Act amendments to TILA, the adjusted dollar amount in 2022 for the safe harbor for a first violation penalty fee will increase to $30 and the adjusted dollar amount for the safe harbor for a subsequent violation penalty fee will increase to $41.
Lastly, based on the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as of June 1, 2021, the dollar threshold for exempt consumer credit transactions under Regulation Z will increase from $58,300 to $61,000 effective January 1, 2022.
If you have any questions on this topic or other matters of compliance, contact WBA’s legal call program at 608-441-1200 or wbalegal@wisbank.com.
